Asia Cup is one of the most essential leagues for the upcoming nations who are playing cricket in the Asia Continent. The continent is full of countries who are playing cricket when compared to the rest of the continents. To date, there have been 15 editions of the tournaments played, with India being the most successful team as they have won the title on seven different occasions. Whereas the Sri Lanka team is the second most successful team with six titles to their name.
Pakistan team have also managed to win the title on two occasions and also are among the favorites to win the competition this time around as they have pretty much-settled unit this time around under the leadership of Babar Azam. Let’s have a look at the top three bowling performances from the Pakistan player;
#1. 5/19- Aaqib Javed vs India at Sharjah in 1995
Aaqib was a fast-medium bowler, who excelled at both traditional and reverse swing. He was underappreciated and had a hostile attitude towards the batters. He is said to have been only 16 when he made his Test debut in 1988–89, but despite playing a significant role in Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup victory by effectively opening the bowling in Waqar Younis’ absence due to injury, he spent a large portion of his career in Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis’ shadow.
It was in the 1995 edition of the Asia Cup, that Javed registered the most successful bowling figures for any Pakistan player. In a match against India, the right quick registered a figure of 5/19.
#2. 5/38 – Saqlain Mushtaq vs Bangladesh at Colombo in 1997
Saqlain Mushtaq is One of the most loved and appreciated bowlers that hailed from Pakistan. It is also regarded that he was the bowler who invented ‘doosra’, a deliverable that can go against the conventional spin. In an Asia Cup match against Bangladesh, Mushtaq registered a figure of 5/38, which is the second-best bowling figure for any Pakistan player.
#3. 5/48 – Sohil Tanvir vs Sri Lanka at Karachi in 2008
With his disguised pace variations and the illusion of a wrong-footed action, left-armer Sohail Tanvir was among the first Pakistani T20 specialists, making a name in leagues around the world. It was in the Asia Cup of 2008 when Tanvir registered the third-best bowling figure for any Pakistan player with a figure of 5/48 against Sri Lanka at Karachi.